Leica Noctilux Book

Description

The technology, image aesthetics and development behind the lens family are explored across 240 pages.

From the first series-produced Leica lens with aspherical surfaces to the newest wide-angle variant, this book tells the story of how an audacious idea became a legend.
When it was introduced at the Photokina trade fair in 1966, few in attendance could have guessed that a story spanning 60 years was beginning: in short, a lens that sought to capture light at night, where other lenses had long reached their limits. The new book Noctilux documents the exciting evolution of the ‘king of the night’, tracing six decades of research and development characterized by smart ideas, surprising detours and ground-breaking solutions.

For the most part, the book concentrates on the lenses themselves. Introduced in 1966, the Noctilux 50f/1.2 was the first in the range: two aspherical element surfaces made in series production – a firstamong lens manufacturers worldwide. Each lens was painstakingly made by hand, and less than 2,000units were produced. The successor model, developed by Dr Walter Mandler in Midland, Canada, wasthe only lens in the series to do without aspherical surfaces: seven classically polished elements and onespecial glass sufficed to achieve a speed of f/1. The Noctilux 50 f/0.95 ASPH. then dared to cross a magical line that had always seemed unreachable: it broke the f/1 speed barrier. The Noctilux 75 f/1.25 ASPH. brought the 75 mm focal length to the series for the first time – perfectly calibrated for portrait photography.

The last chapter belongs to the Noctilux 35 f/1.2, the first Noctilux with a focal length of 35 mm. Further chapters follow the development of aspheric technology, from its inception to production today. Fascinating interviews offer a glimpse behind the scenes of the Noctilux research laboratory: while Peter Karbe, Senior Managing Expert in Optics at Leica, details the history of aspheric lenses, Dietmar Stuible, Head of Optics Development at Leica Camera AG since 2021, explains the ‘mechanical intelligence’ of M-Lenses. Diverse photo essays by Ana María Arévalo Gosen, Alisa Martynova, Jason Roman, François Rousseau, Paolo Roversi and Satoru Watanabe are spread across the book’s pages, exemplifying why these lenses continue to be cherished to this day. A gallery of interesting special editions and one-of-a-kind lenses from the past offers another unique perspective on the history of the Noctilux. The
volume is supplemented by an overview of all M-Lenses across Leica’s history, which also makes the book an indispensable reference for photography and optics aficionados.

Content Overview:

• Chronology of the Noctilux: Each lens is presented, accompanied by high-quality product photos,
• historical context and example images taken with the lens.
• Evolution of aspheric technology: Five chronologically structured chapters provide insight into the
• production equipment, prototypes and R&D details.
• Exclusive interviews: Optics experts Peter Karbe and Dietmar Stuible combine specialist
• knowledge with their personal perspectives.
• Select photographic projects by six international photographers showcase the Noctilux’s
• versatility: Ana María Arévalo Gosen, Alisa Martynova, Jason Roman, François Rousseau, Paolo
• Roversi and Satoru Watanabe.
• Additional striking image series bring the distinctive image aesthetics of the various Noctilux
• models to life.
• Efficient reference book: The appendix includes an index of all M-Lens, an overview of special
• Noctilux models and portraits of the main players in Leica optics development.

Technical Data

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